Reversible load floor

ABSTRACT

A reversible load floor for a vehicle includes a first side defining a planar surface. The reversible load floor also includes a second side disposed opposite of the first side. The second side includes a container, which extends from the second side along a vertical axis at a center of a spare tire such that, in a first position, the first side is accessible via a cargo compartment and the container is disposed over the spare tire, and, in a second position, the first side extends across a top of the spare tire and the container is accessible via the cargo compartment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to removable load floors within a cargocompartment of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Cargo compartments within vehicles aid consumers in storing items duringtravel. Items may be stored on a load floor of the cargo compartment.The load floor is parallel with the vehicle floor and defines an areaequal to an area of the cargo compartment. Items of all sizes can beplaced and stored on the load floor of the cargo compartment duringtravel. Cargo compartments are usually disposed in a rear portion of avehicle and are separated from the cabin by a barrier, such as rearseats. Some cargo compartments are adjustable and can change theinterior configuration of the cargo compartment or load floor to moreefficiently secure items for travel.

SUMMARY

A cargo compartment for a vehicle includes a reversible load floorhaving first and second sides. The first side is disposed opposite thesecond side. The second side includes a container having a diametergreater than a diameter of a spare tire such that the spare tire fitswithin the container in a first position and extends vertically into thecargo compartment in a second position.

A vehicle includes a cargo compartment disposed within a rear portionhaving two sidewalls. The cargo compartment is disposed above a sparetire of a vehicle. A load floor is disposed within and configured to beremoved from the cargo compartment. The load floor has a flat, planarfirst side disposed opposite of a second side having a containerextending vertically from the second side. The container defines adiameter greater than a diameter of the spare tire such that, in a firstposition, the spare tire is disposed within the container, and, in asecond position, the container extends into the cargo compartment.

A reversible load floor for a vehicle includes a first side defining aplanar surface. The reversible load floor also includes a second sidedisposed opposite of the first side. The second side includes acontainer, which extends from the second side along a vertical axis at acenter of a spare tire such that, in a first position, the first side isaccessible via a cargo compartment and the container is disposed overthe spare tire, and, in a second position, the first side extends acrossa top of the spare tire and the container is accessible via the cargocompartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a cargo compartment ina rear portion of the vehicle;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first side of a load floor in thecargo compartment;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the load floor with the first sidein the cargo compartment taken along lines 2-2;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second side of the load floor in thecargo compartment; and

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the load floor with the second sidein the cargo compartment taken along lines 3-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to beunderstood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examplesand other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. Thefigures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggeratedor minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand,various features illustrated and described with reference to any one ofthe figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or moreother figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustratedor described. The combinations of features illustrated providerepresentative embodiments for typical applications. Variouscombinations and modifications of the features consistent with theteachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particularapplications or implementations.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a vehicle 10 is shown. Thevehicle 10 has a rear portion 12 defining a cargo area 14. The cargoarea 14 is constrained by at least two sidewalls 16 of the rear portion12 of the vehicle 10 and a load floor 18. The load floor 18 issubstantially perpendicular to the at least two sidewalls 16. The loadfloor 18 is assessable by opening the rear portion 12 of the vehicle 10via a hatch 20. Opening the hatch 20 allows the load floor 18 to storeitems during travel. Certain items, such as paint, may shift on the loadfloor 18 during use of the vehicle 10. When items, such as paint, shiftacross the load floor 18, the items may tip and spill their contentsonto the load floor 18. The load floor 18 may be damaged by items thatspill their contents onto the load floor 18. This may cause unsightlystaining on the load floor 18. Therefore, a load floor 18 that utilizesfirst and second surfaces 22, 24 for item organization and storage onthe load floor 18 may be advantageous.

As will be described with reference to the figures below, the load floor18 may be configured to be removed from the cargo compartment 14.Applying a vertical force, such as lifting, to the first surface 22 ofthe load floor or the second surface 24 of the load floor 18 allows theload floor 18 to be removed from the cargo compartment 14. Once removedfrom the cargo compartment 14, the load floor maybe flipped andrepositioned with in the cargo compartment 14. For example, in a firstposition 26, the first surface 22 is assessable via the hatch 20 asdescribed above. Likewise, and a second position 28, the second surface24 of the load floor 18 may be assessable via the hatch as describedabove. The first surface 24 is disposed opposite and parallel to thesecond surface 24. Therefore, if the first surface 22 is assessable viathe hatch 20, then the second surface 24 is facing and in contact with aspare tire 30. Likewise, if the second surface 24 is assessable via thehatch 20, then the first surface 22 is facing and in contact with thespare tire 30. In this way, the load floor 18 may be a reversible loadfloor 18, which allows accessibility on either the first or secondsurface 22, 24.

Removing the load floor 18 allows the load floor 18 to be reversible. Asstated above, the load floor 18, when subjected to a vertical force, canbe removed from the cargo compartment 14. Therefore, the load floor 18defines a width 17 substantially equal to the width 19 of the cargocompartment 14. The width 19 of the cargo compartment 14 may be definedas the distance between each of the sidewalls 16. When the load floor 18defines a width 17 equal to, or substantially equal to the width 19 ofthe cargo compartment 14, the load floor 18 fits between each of thesidewalls 16. Also, if the width 17 of the load floor 18 fits betweenthe sidewalls 16 with very little clearance, then the load floor 18 isprevented from shifting when a horizontal force is acting on the rearportion 12 of the vehicle 10.

In a similar manner, the load floor 18 may define a length 21substantially equal to a length 23 of the cargo compartment 14. Thelength 23 of the cargo compartment 14 may be defined as a distancebetween a rear panel 25 and the hatch 20, when the hatch 20 is in theclosed position. Therefore, the length 21 of the load floor 18 may fitwithin the cargo compartment 14 substantially along a length 27 of eachof the sidewalls 16. Therefore, the length 21 of the load floor 18 mayalso be substantially equal to the length 27 of each of the sidewalls16. If the length 21 of the load floor 18 is bounded by the rear panel25 and the hatch 20, then the load floor 18 is prevented from slidingvertically when the vehicle is subject to a vertical force. Constrainingthe load floor 18 vertically and horizontally via the length 21 and thewidth 17 allows the load floor to be removed as well as secures the loadfloor within the cargo compartment 14.

As stated above, a reversible load floor 18 may allow for furtherorganization and storage of certain items during use of the vehicle 10.For example, the first surface 22 may define a flat, planar surface 22.With a flat, planar surface, the first surface 22 may be configured tostore larger objects requiring more space within the cargo compartment20. The second surface 24 may be configured to store other items, suchas paint, which is subject to tipping, spilling and staining the loadfloor 18. Therefore, when items that may spill or stain the load floor18 are needed for travel, the second side 24 of the load floor 18 may beassessable via the hatch 20. Being reversible, such that both the firstand second sides 22, 24 are accessible, provides the load floor 18 withfurther adaptability to store and secure items in the cargo compartment14 defined in the rear portion 12 of the vehicle 10.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the first side 22 of the load floor 18 as beingaccessible via unlatching of the hatch 20. As can be seen with referenceto FIGS. 2A and 2B, when the first side 22 of the load floor 18 isaccessible, the second side 24 is in contact with the spare tire 30.When the second side 24 is in contact with the spare tire 30, the firstside 22 is exposed. When the first side 22 is exposed, the load floor 18is in a first position 32. Stated differently, if the first side 22 ofthe load floor 18 is accessible, as described, then the first side 22 isalso exposed via unlatching of the hatch 20. In a similar manner, whenthe first side 22 is in contact with the spare tire 30, the second side24 is exposed, and when the second side 24 is exposed, the load floor 18is in a second position 34. Therefore, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the firstside 22 of the load floor 18 in the first position 32.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, when the load floor 18 is in thefirst position 32 the first side 22 is exposed with in the cargocompartment 14. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the first side 22 of the loadfloor 18 defines a flat, planar surface, such as in a traditional cargocompartment 14 assessable via the hatch 20. Again, when the load floor18 is in the first position 32, the second side 24 of the load floor 18is in contact with the spare tire 30. As will be described in moredetail below, the second side 24 may further include a container 36. Thecontainer 36 and the spare tire 30 may be coaxial. Stated differently,the container 36 is disposed and attached to the second side 24 of theload floor 18 such that a central axis 30 of the container 36 is in linewith a central axis 40 of the spare tire 30. Further, the container 36may define a diameter 42 that is greater than a diameter 44 of the sparetire 30. By aligning the container central axis 38 with the spare tirecentral axis 40 and defining a container diameter 42 greater than aspare tire diameter 44 allows the container 36 to fit over the sparetire 30. Therefore, when the load floor 18 is in the first position 32,the spare tire 30 is disposed within the container 36 attached to thesecond side 24 of the load floor 18.

FIGS. 2A-2B are cross-sectional views taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 2A.FIG. 2B depicts the spare tire 30 disposed within the container 36.Again, the diameter 42 of the container 36 is greater than the diameter44 of the spare tire 30 to allow the container 36 to fit over the sparetire 30. The container diameter 42 being greater than the spare tirediameter 44 further aids the load floor 18 to be reversible. Forexample, as stated above, to change positions of the load floor 18, theload floor 18 may be lifted out of the cargo compartment 14. Therefore,having a larger container diameter 42 then the spare tire diameter 44provides clearance to allow the load floor 18 to be lifted out of thecargo compartment 14. Further, as stated above and can be seen in FIG.2B, the container central axis 38 is aligned with the spare tire centralaxis 40. Alignment between the container central axis 38 in the sparetire central axis 40 allows a center 46 of the container 36 to intersectthe central axis 40 of the spare tire 30. Aligning the container 36 onthe second side 24 of the load floor 18 such that the center 46 of thecontainer 36 intersects the spare tire central axis 40 providesclearance to 360° around the spare tire 30 to accommodate a variety ofknown lifting techniques.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict the second side 24 of the load floor 18 as beingaccessible via unlatching of the hatch 20. As can be seen with referenceto FIGS. 2A and 2B, when the second side 24 of the load floor 18 isaccessible, the first side 22 is in contact with the spare tire 30. Whenthe first side 22 is in contact with the spare tire 30, the second side24 is exposed. When the second side 24 is exposed, the load floor 18 isin the second position 34. Stated differently, if the second side 24 ofthe load floor 18 is accessible, as described, then the second side 24is also exposed via unlatching of the hatch 20. In a similar manner,when the first side 22 is in contact with the spare tire 30, the secondside 24 is exposed, and when the second side 24 is exposed, the loadfloor 18 is in the second position 34. Therefore, FIGS. 3A and 3B depictthe second side 24 of the load floor 18 in the second position 34.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3A, when the second side 24 of the loadfloor 18 is exposed, the load floor is in the second position 34. Whenthe load floor 18 is in the second position 34, the container 36 extendsvertically into the cargo compartment 14. Extending vertically away fromthe second side 24 into the cargo compartment 14 allows the container 36to more adequately secure items that may stain the second side 24 of theload floor 18. For example, the container 26 may hold an item such aspaint, and the container 36 may be shaped such that the item is unableto tip over or, if the item tips over and spills, the contents remainwithin the container 36 instead of contacting and therefore staining theload floor 18. The container diameter 42 may be based on the type ofitem, the size of the item, or any other aspect of the item, which mayindicate an optimal way to maintain the item contents within the item.The container 36 is depicted in FIG. 2A as being substantially circular.However, in at least one other embodiment, the container 36 may defineother shapes, such as but not limited to, square, rectangular,triangular, trapezoidal or any other sort of polygon defined to be mostoptimal to secure liquid goods.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 3A. FIG.3B depicts the load floor 18 in the second position 34 such that thecontainer 36 extends from the second side 24 of the load floor 18 andinto the cargo compartment 14 of the rear portion 12 of the vehicle 10.As can be seen in FIG. 3B, the container 26 extends vertically from thesecond side 24 of the load floor 18 and defines a height 52. The height52 of the container 36 allows the container 36 to separate items, whichcontents may stain the second side 24 of the load floor 18, from thesecond side 24 of the load floor 18. The height 52 of the container 36may be based on the size and the shape of the item. For example, in oneembodiment, the height 52 of the container 36 may be defined by thedimensions of the item holding the sustainable liquid such that the itemis prevented from tipping while disposed in the container 36.

Likewise, and at least another embodiment, the height 52 may be definedbased on holding only liquid. For example, to transport liquid without acontainer, the container 36 on the second side 24 of the load floor 18may define the height 52 of the container 36 such that liquid can besecured within the container 36 without spilling out of the container 36and onto the second side 24 of the load floor 18. Further, by aligningthe container 36 with the spare tire 30, as described above, the secondside 24 of the load floor 18 may still maintain a storage area 54. Thestorage area 54 may be bounded by the second side 24 of the load floor18 between the container 36 and a vehicle seat 56 as well as the twosidewalls 16 of the rear portion 12 of the vehicle 10. Therefore, thesecond side 24 of the load floor 18 is configured to store a variety ofitems and separates those items based on type to avoid potential damageto the items. The load floor 18 may be formed as a single part in whichthe container 26 is formed integrally with the second side 24 of theload floor. In at least one other embodiment, the load floor 18 may beassembled in pieces, such as through attaching the container 26 to thesecond side 24 of the load floor 18 via any known fastening technique,such as but not limited to mechanical fastening, bonding, welding or anyother attachment method two interconnect the container 26 in the secondside 24 of the load floor 18.

As stated above, the load floor 18 may be configured to be removed fromthe cargo compartment 14 and, upon removing the load floor 18, reversedsuch that either of the first or second sides 22, 24 are flipped to theother of the first or second side 22, 24. The first side 22 of the loadfloor 18 is flipped when the load floor 18 moves from the first position32 to the second position 34. Likewise, the second side 24 of the loadfloor 18 is flipped when the load floor 18 moves from the secondposition 34 to the first position 32. Therefore, moving the load floor18 from the first position 32 to the second position 34 or from thesecond position 34 to the first position 32 reverses the load floor 18,or allows the load floor 18 to be reversible. Using a reversible loadfloor 18 as part of the cargo compartment 14 allows a cargo compartmentto store a variety of different items, even those items that are orcontain liquids, without damaging the load floor 18 or other itemsstored in the cargo compartment 14. Specifically, the container 26 onthe second side 24 of the load floor 18 provides adaptability to thecargo compartment 14 and provides a simple efficient way to storeinsecure items which may cause damage to the load floor, such as throughstaining or wetting.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims.The words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Aspreviously described, the features of various embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not beexplicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments couldhave been described as providing advantages or being preferred overother embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one ormore desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the artrecognize that one or more features or characteristics may becompromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which dependon the specific application and implementation. These attributes mayinclude, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cyclecost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability,weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodimentsdescribed as less desirable than other embodiments or prior artimplementations with respect to one or more characteristics are notoutside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particularapplications.

1. A cargo compartment for a vehicle comprising: a reversible load floorhaving first and second sides, the first side disposed opposite thesecond side, wherein the second side includes a container having adiameter greater than a diameter of a spare tire such that the sparetire fits within the container in a first position and the containerextends vertically into the cargo compartment in a second position. 2.The cargo compartment of claim 1, wherein the load floor defines a widthbeing equal to a width of the cargo compartment.
 3. The cargocompartment of claim 1, wherein the load floor defines a length beingequal to a length of the cargo compartment.
 4. The cargo compartment ofclaim 1, wherein the first side has a first, flat and planar surface. 5.The cargo compartment of claim 1, wherein the container defines a centerbeing disposed on the second side in line with a central axis of thespare tire.
 6. The cargo compartment of claim 1, wherein the containerdefines a height from a second surface of the second side.
 7. A vehiclecomprising: a cargo compartment disposed within a rear portion havingtwo sidewalls, and above a spare tire of a vehicle; and a load floordisposed within and configured to be removed from the cargo compartment,the load floor having a flat, planar first side disposed opposite of asecond side having a container extending vertically from the second sideand defining a diameter greater than a diameter of the spare tire suchthat, in a first position, the spare tire is disposed within thecontainer, and, in a second position, the container extends into thecargo compartment.
 8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the load floordefines a length equal to a length of each of the sidewalls.
 9. Thevehicle of claim 7, wherein the load floor defines a width equal to adistance between each of the sidewalls.
 10. The vehicle of claim 7,wherein the load floor is disposed between each of the sidewalls. 11.The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the load floor is disposed between arear panel of the cargo compartment and a hatch disposed on the rearportion.
 12. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the diameter of thecontainer is greater than the diameter of the spare tire such that aclearance is defined between the container and the spare tire.
 13. Areversible load floor for a vehicle comprising: a first side defining aplanar surface; and a second side disposed opposite of the first sideand including a container, which extends from the second side along avertical axis at a center of a spare tire, having a diameter greaterthan the spare tire such that, in a first position, the first side isaccessible via a cargo compartment and the container is disposed overthe spare tire, and, in a second position, the first side extends acrossa top of the spare tire and the container is accessible via the cargocompartment.
 14. The reversible load floor of claim 13, wherein thesecond side further defines a storage area between a panel of the cargocompartment and the container.
 15. The reversible load floor of claim 13further comprising a hatch disposed on the cargo compartment, wherein inthe first position, the first side is accessible when the hatch is in anopen position.
 16. The reversible load floor of claim 13, wherein asecond side defines a storage area between the container and a rearpanel of the cargo compartment.
 17. The reversible load floor of claim13, wherein a centerline of the container is coaxial with the center ofthe spare tire.
 18. The reversible load floor of claim 13, wherein thecontainer extends to a height from the second side into the cargocompartment in the second position.